Trying to study again

I’m trying to study again and it’s hard. It’s been 11 years since I graduated and in all this time I’ve never really had to study for anything. Sure there were a few courses at work, but nothing major.

Now, I’ve decided to get a professional qualification that’s quite challenging. When I was younger, studying is something that came naturally to me. Even throughout my career, anything that needed some study has been so easy. But now, trying to focus on real studying is hard.

I’ve been trying to get this qualification for the last 8 years, but I never managed to study enough to actually sit for the exams. Every year something would come up and I just had to give it up. This year I just can’t give up. I just have to see it through.

I so admire the people who can work and study…. people who go through college at night or part time Master’s degrees. It takes real determination. Seeing as how out of practice I am and how daunting this task feels to me right now, I am open to any suggestions that would help.

I am really bad at traditional education, but I got my Masters (with ADHD). I failed my comprehensive exams the first time, but the second time, I put together a notebook with research links, sources, and even wrote sample papers for each research question that was posed and then I just reviewed reviewed reviewed, hoping stuff stuck in my brain. Colour coding my notes helped. Also, here’s a link to my blog with some tips (ADD-related) and tricks I relied on to help get me through undergrad/grad school, and life in general. https://achaosfairyrealm.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/seven-ways-i-cope-with-adhd-without-meds/

Oh wow. Much respect to how you coped with it all. Thanks for sharing the link. I definitely need all the help I can get. I am also planning to just keep reviewing and just like you, I am hoping things will stick.

I was out of school for twelve years before I went back. The skills are all still there (I hadn’t been sure they would be). The problem is organizing your life so you can find the time. Whoever said ease yourself back in is wise.

One thing I discovered is that being an older student gave me a real advantage. Several, actually. I knew why I was there–I wasn’t some kid sleepwalking through school because someone else told me it would be a good idea. I had more confidence than I did as an 18-year-old. And I was committed to it, and willing to do what it took.

I went this route when I was 38. It took me six years to finish my BA and get my MA, and I did it by easing into it. The first four years, I went to night classes, working full time. The next two years, I worked part time and went to school full time. The trick is to take one or two courses at a time at first before adding more. I mapped out my semesters so that I always knew what course to take next, what I needed and what I could skip. If you have a plan and then execute it in increments that are workable for you, suddenly, it all comes together. It is true, as others have mentioned, that being older gives you a leg up.